Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health continues to make a global impact, strengthening communities near and far through education, innovation and leadership.
Clinical Assistant Professor Charles Cal, PhD student, MBA ‘03, MS ‘01, RN; Betty L. Forest Dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12; Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing Principal Niru Nahar; and Clinical Associate Professor Ani Jacob, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC.
Under the guidance of Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, RN, the Betty L. Forest Dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health, Adelphi has been actively collaborating with the Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing in Bangladesh for the past three years. During their visits to Grameen, Dean Hunt and her team have provided professional development workshops and training sessions, fostering a meaningful exchange of knowledge and expertise.
A Transformative Partnership Between Adelphi and Bangladesh
This collaboration serves a dual purpose: Grameen aims to enhance the quality of education for its nursing students, while Adelphi continues to fulfill the goals of its Momentum 2 strategic plan—serving students, communities and society on a broader scale.
The most recent visit, in January 2025, marked Adelphi’s third trip to Bangladesh, and it was made possible by a generous donation from philanthropist Susan Gibson, whose career spans volunteer work in 70 countries. She has been critical to fostering this partnership and has joined the Adelphi delegation on each trip.
Participating on behalf of Adelphi on past visits were Clinical Associate Professor Ani Jacob, DNP, MSN, RN and Clinical Assistant Professor Charles Cal, PhD student, MBA ’03, MS ’01. This year, the delegation included Clinical Associate Professor K.C. Rondello, MD, and Tommy Agurkis, a Master of Public Health graduate student and Adelphi health educator. They delivered lectures and workshops on global public health, epidemiology, emergency management, disaster preparedness and clinical communication. Dean Hunt also contributed remotely, presenting on nursing scholarship and research.
Impact and Growth Through Knowledge Exchange
Faculty members at Grameen have praised Adelphi’s contributions, sharing how the collaborations and training have enhanced their teaching methods and broadened their perspectives.
One faculty member shared, “We have been enlightened by your presence, experience and wisdom to become better teachers.” Another added, “I found your team’s dedication and attention…made us reflect on our teaching and learning experiences.”
This successful partnership has already led to exciting new opportunities: one faculty member from Grameen has enrolled in Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health PhD program, with another expected to follow.
“These collaborations allow us to share knowledge, culture and expertise, ultimately improving nursing education worldwide,” said Dean Hunt. “With more projects in the pipeline, we look forward to continuing this meaningful work.”
Adelphi’s dedication to excellence in nursing education has not gone unnoticed—U.S. News & World Report recently named it a Best Undergraduate Nursing Program for 2025, marking an impressive 19-spot jump in national rankings. Adelphi is also recognized as a Best Graduate School for Nursing.
With visionary leadership and a commitment to global impact, Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health continues to set the standard for excellence in healthcare education—both at home and around the world.